‘Tunnel of Oppression’ transforms into the ‘Imago Dei Experience’
Photo by Christopher Vega, Senior Photographer.
Imago Dei is partnering with Residential Life and Housing to transform the “Tunnel of Oppression” into the “Imago Dei Experience.”
Area Coordinator in Residential Life and Diversity Council Sponsor D'Metri Mattocks said the decision to change Tunnel was influenced by Lee’s campus needs to best serve the student body.
“The end goal and the hope is that the students that [attend] and participate will be able to engage in conversation and leave feeling empowered and inspired to really carry out these conversations,” said Mattocks. “[We hope students leave] and understand why it’s important so that we can promote this beauty of unity and of valuing the different pieces of the mosaic that fit into the Image of God.”
While the event will still circulate in a similar fashion - with groups of students moving from one room to the next - the topics this year will center around racial reconciliation, engaging culture, awareness in media, mental health and allyship.
“[The Imago Dei Experience] is not taking away from what Tunnel has [formerly] done at all,” said Kat Lange, a senior accounting major. “We just want to continue [to build onto the growth] it has already done.”
Senior exercise science pre-athletic training major, Dhuranique Ferguson, is hopeful the event will engage students by providing an environment where educational and conversational growth can be held.
“Ignorance is no longer bliss,” said Ferguson. “We have these resources at our fingertips to engage and talk. The topics are meant to be both educational and engaging. The hope is that students will take time to self-reflect on what they share and what they absorb.”
She reinforced this idea by saying, “The image of God is everyone.”
Regardless of race, background or beliefs, students are encouraged to attend and participate.
Lange described the event as, “The table is open to you, and we want to sit with you.”
Both acknowledge that it may be uncomfortable at times, but it is a necessity moving forward.
The Imago Dei Experience will be held in the School of Religion on February 26, starting at 6 p.m. Due to COVID-19, spots are limited, so students are encouraged to sign up ahead of time to reserve their spot to attend, and masks will be required throughout the event.
Students can sign up for the Imago Dei Experience here.
